Tree protector

Claim 1

A tree protector comprising: (a) a vertical, hollow shaft including a pair of substantially identical, half-round overlappingly connectible sections, (b) a separate annular ground-engaging base including a pair of substantially identical, half-round, overlappingly connectible sections, said base including an annular trough disposed for use above the ground having substantially vertical inner and outer sides and interfitted with said shaft at said inner side, a pair of circumferentially spaced openings disposed in said trough and said base including an inwardly and upwardly inclined substantially planar peripheral portion adapted to lie above the ground disposed adjacent said trough and having a ground-engaging rim to facilitate use with uneven ground, said inclined peripheral portion extending between said ground-engaging rim and said trough outer side at a relatively small angle of inclination to permit lawn mower wheels to ride thereupon, and (c) a pair of hollow, hold-down spikes, each including a flanged upper end defining an opening for receiving liquid, a pointed lower end for driving the spike into the ground, and a plurality of side openings disposed between said upper and lower ends for dispensing liquid into the adjacent ground, said spikes being received by said trough openings and said flanged upper end being engageable with the bottom of the trough and said trough sides being higher than said spike upper end openings whereby liquid in said trough is received within said spike upper end openings.